40 Across

NYT Daily • September 10, 2025

Remark to the audience

Answer:

ASIDE

Hint:

["This theatrical device lets a character share a secret thought directly with you, often while others on stage remain unaware."]

Explanation:

In theater, an "aside" is when an actor briefly speaks directly to the audience, sharing a thought or comment that other characters on stage aren’t supposed to hear. The clue plays on this definition by calling it a "remark to the audience," which is exactly what an aside does—it breaks the fourth wall for a quick, often revealing line. The answer fits because it’s the theatrical term for that kind of direct address.

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